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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of political contributions to make payments in |
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connection with the rental of certain real property; providing a |
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criminal penalty. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 253.038, Election Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
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(a-1) A candidate or officeholder or a specific-purpose |
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committee for supporting, opposing, or assisting the candidate or |
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officeholder may not knowingly make or authorize a payment from a |
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political contribution for the rental of real property from: |
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(1) a person related in the second degree by |
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consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, |
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Government Code, to the candidate or officeholder; or |
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(2) a business in which the candidate or officeholder |
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or a person described by Subdivision (1) has a participating |
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interest of more than 10 percent, holds a position on the governing |
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body, or serves as an officer. |
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SECTION 2. The heading to Section 253.038, Election Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 253.038. PAYMENTS MADE TO PURCHASE REAL PROPERTY OR TO |
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RENT CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY PROHIBITED. |
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SECTION 3. Section 253.038(a-1), Election Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies to a payment made from political contributions on |
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or after the effective date of this Act, without regard to whether |
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the payment was made under a lease or other agreement entered into |
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before the effective date of this Act. A payment made from |
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political contributions before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the payment was made, and |
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the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |